Catch the Milk Run. Ride the old line home.
We drive you and an e-bike up to Murwillumbah station. You ride 21 km back to Mooball, through the cane, over the old bridges and through the 524 m Burringbar Range tunnel. Coffee's on when you roll in.
Eight stations, one tunnel, a lot of cane.
The trees grew back on the old Murwillumbah branch line after the last train in 2004, and now it's one of the best easy rides in Australia. We're at Mooball, km 21.1, nearer the quiet end.
- KM 0.0MurwillumbahStart of the trail
- KM 5.7DunbibleCreek flats
- KM 8.4Stokers SidingLou's old stop
- KM 13.4Burringbar Range tunnel524 m · lights on
- KM 14.9Upper BurringbarTop of the range
- KM 18.9BurringbarCoffee stop
- KM 21.1MooballSlow Train CyclesYou are here
- KM 24.4Crabbes CreekEnd of the line (for now)
Three ways to ride it
Every e-bike comes with a helmet, lock, tunnel light, pannier and a paper map. Prices are per adult.
Our favourite. Ride the whole tunnel side of the trail without riding it twice. The van leaves the shop at 8:30, 10:00 and 12:30.
Out and back from our shed. Ride up to the tunnel and back (15.4 km), or do the lot to Murwillumbah for lunch and ride home (42 km).
Lou grew up on a cane farm by the line and worked the last trains on it. Shuttle, guide, the stories, and her zia's cannoli at Burringbar.
The bit everyone talks about at dinner
Halfway up the range, the trail goes straight through it. It's curved, so the middle is properly dark, and the walls are home to glow worms and microbats.
- Front light on. We fit every bike with one, and it's already charged.
- Keep to the left and ride slowly. People walk this bit too.
- Voices down and no flash photos. The glow worms and microbats live here.
Tag-alongs, trailers and little bikes
The trail is flat or gentle nearly all the way, with no cars, so it's a cracker for families. Tell us everyone's height when you book and the right bikes are waiting.
- Kids' bikes: 20" and 24" wheels, for about 6 to 13 year olds
- Tag-alongs: hook onto your e-bike, for 4 to 8 year olds who'll get tired
- Child trailers: two little ones plus snacks
- Adaptive e-trike: three wheels, step-through, very stable. Just ask
- Waivers on your phone: parents sign for under-18s before you get here
Yes, the power poles are painted like cows.
Mooball has been "the cow town" for as long as anyone can remember. The poles are black and white, the roadhouse is black and white and so is our shed. It's mostly a dairy joke these days, but it's very easy to find us.
Park free behind the shop. We've got toilets, water, a bike wash and a fridge full of cold drinks.
Find the cow-print shed